The Baltimore County union. [volume] (Towsontown, Md.) 1865-1909, 1887-05-07
Correspondence Baltimore County Union.
LETTER FROM BALTIMORE.
The Commissioner of Agriculture on
Oleomargarine-Wh What the Stuff is
Composed of, &C., &c.

BALTIMORE, May Sd, 1887.
Messrs. Editors The Suns Washington cor
respondent of April goth contains paragraph of
especial interest to all farmers and especially those
engaged in the manufacture of butter. If posi-
BILE it deserves wider and more general circulation
than even the Sun can give it, large as that pa
pers circulationis. 1t is on the subject OF "0leo-
margarine" what is called substitute for but
ter. 1 know there is too much truth in the article
and hence know you will lend what aid you can
in increasing knowledge of the subject alluded
to- believing that the repusive facts are not half
told. The paragraph referred to is as follows:
"'The subject of oleomargarine will be treated at
length in the next bulletin from the agricultural
bureau said Commissioner Colman to-day, 'and
the people of this and other countries will receive
full and explicit instructions how to detect the
presence of deleterious matter in one of the most
important table luxuries. No later than this FORE
noon 1 received through the Secretary of State a
communication from Baro Fava, the Italian Min
lister, in which he requests information as to the
scientific tests used by our government to detect
oleomargarine, butterine, sueine, and other COM
pounds made to supersede butter. In his commu-
nication it is expressly stated that the italian
government has taken up the question in the in
terest of its citizens and desires to stamp out, if
possible, practice and traffic that should be dis
couraged. In my reply shall not mince matters
at ALL but will give the result of Investigations
made by this bureau, from which it appears that
even the carcasses of horses, dogs and swine have
been utilized in the manufacture of oleomargarne,
and the manufacturers were not particular about
the condition or age of the meat and bones, either
had personal experience at my home IN st.
Louis, when went to butchers shop to get some
meat for several hunting dogs that kept at the
time In the refuse barrel at this place often
saw maggots and fyblown meat was very con-
spicuous. When asked the proprietor what he
intended to do with such material, he said it was
intended for butter factory.
"By the use of acids and other chemical prepa-
rations the manufacturers of counterfeit butter
are enabled to destroy all offensive smells, and
some of them use about one fourth pure butter to
give their wares good appearance and taste, and
thereby many persons considered experts are dc.
ceived.
"Too much in condemnation of these practices
cannot be said, and so long as am commissioner
of agriculture, just as long will raise my voice
against continuance of the evil. THERE'S great
deal of capital invested in this enterprise, to be
sure and particularly in the West, but that does
not Justify its manufacture, in my opinion, for 1t
is against the people, and should be frowned down.
Chemical and microscopical tests have been In
progress under the supervision of Profs. Wyie and
TAYLOR of the agricultural department, for sever
al months and the result of their observations
will be of great benefit to the consumers OF butter
trust they will be scattered broadcast, and bear
good fruit"
I sincerely hope the whole subject may be thor
oughly investigated and soon as possible 1t may
be exposed and driven entirely from our market.
1t is sickening to think Of What is worst of all
is that the process of manufacturing this Infamous
cheat is such that it has the appearance OF actual
butter and cannot be detected by either taste or
smell from the genuine article. When placed
on the table for use there is no label of oleomarga
rine upon it and it therefore may be used by per-
sons without their knowing it. boarding house
keeper if so disposed hotel proprietors or any one
else may use it altogether. They are only requir-
ed to know what it is when making the purchase
from the persons who sell it. After that it be-
comes common property and, generally speaking,
is we'll calculated to deceive, the smell of putrid
matter being taken away by chemicals in manu-
featuring. Never was there ever more effective
cheat Just think in this oleomargarne we are
made to eat an article for genuine butter made of
dead, sinking dogs, hogs, horses, cats and all
sorts of carrion for good butterand what is worse,
don't know it. Instead of it being sanctioned by
law, as it is, the person or persons who make 1t
ought to be severely punished. Farmers or those
engaged in agriculture are always ready and WILL
ing to supply people with the genuine article from
their fine stock of COWS kept for that purpose,
about which there is no mistake and at reason
able price. The deceptive article is enough to
spread disease. The thought of it is absolutely
sickening. I am told the filthier the articles are
from which this thing is made the better, more
salable oleomargarine it makes. most earnestly
hope every person will frown it down. 1t almost
makes person refuse to eat butter at all, fearing
it may be made of dead dogs, rats, hogs, CATS and
other carrion. Persons found attempting to man
ufacture it should be sent to the penitentiary or
otherwise severely punished. If we cannot afford
to eat real butter let US do without it altogether
and not be endangered in health by eating such
miserable truck. Nevertheless I regret to learn
that large amount of it is sold and no doubt
eaten. NEsToR.